Rachael Flatt & Broadmoor/Liberty Open highlights

I think it's high time those old-timers Kimmie, Yu-na, and Mao retire and make way for the new kids on the block.

Here is an article from the Blades on Ice web site about 13-year-old Rachael Flatt. She is the 2005 U.S. novice champion and 2006 U.S. junior silver medallist, and is in the news now because of her recent victory at the Broadmore Open event in Colorado Springs.

Rachael will compete in the junior grand prix this year, starting with the Mexico City event in September, and hopes to make it to senior nationals in Spokane.

(Scroll down to The 2007 Season Begins with the Emergence of a New Star, by Alexandra Stevenson.)

There is also (last two paragraphs) a rather enigmatic A.P. McDonough reference in the article:

"While watching these competitors, I couldn't help wonder what ever happened to the very talented Ann Patrice McDonough , who had trained in the Springs since she was 3...

"During the Torino Olympics, the Colorado Springs Gazette traced her to Chicago where she had recently started to teach a Learn To Skate program in a suburban rink. To their reporter's question of ‘What happened?', she replied, 'Nobody needs to know. I don't want my life in the spotlight any more.'"

Rachael

Mathman,

Glad to see you've found a new kid on the block! This little one is just fun to watch, she's got lots of spirit and is a very good skater. I'm a little surprised that she's gone to Senior this year, sorta thought she'd hold back a year but I wish her well. I haven't seen her skate this year yet, she did need some polishing presentation-wise so we'll see. I think she's competing at the big Liberty competition this weekend, which will be broadcast on the figure skating channel.

I was very impressed with Rachel at Nats and even got her autograph. I wish I could see her make her senior debut in Spokane, but unfortunately, the bank account won't permit that this year. I hope she makes a big splash.

13-year-old "Rascal" is skating at the Liberty Open in Aston PA this weekend.

Rachael "Rascal" Flatt has now won both Broadmoor and Liberty. Good start to her season. Anxious to get the JGP season underway so we can see how she does on the international circuit. Though, I do remember now that she won Triglav Trophy novice ladies event following her US Novice title back in 2005. She is young (she has a birthday at the end of this week....14!) so she has plenty of time to continue to learn and develop! Good luck Ms. Flatt and Happy BIrthday!:birthday: